I, too, play with xtal sets but instead of a 1N34 I make my own detectors. Here is a link to a picture showing some of the dozens of quartz blanks I have and also my source for cat-whiskers. FYI, the longest xtal is 6 inches long (Stewart, this part of the legacy I spoke of). http://www.ThePittsfieldInn.com/ham/DCP_0012.JPG Mike wa1ptc